Cefalea menstrual: subtipos, fenotipos clínicos y tratamiento / Menstrual headache: subtypes, clinical phenotypes and treatment

Introducción. Más del 60% de las mujeres refieren presentar cefalea relacionada con el ciclo menstrual. Se ha incluido la ‘migraña menstrual’ en la segunda edición de la Clasificación Internacional de las Cefaleas; sin embargo, la ‘cefaleatensional durante la menstruación’ es una entidad no reconocida por la Sociedad Internacional de Cefaleas.Objetivos. Evaluar la prevalencia de los diferentes subtipos de cefalea menstrual y analizar sus características clínicas y eltratamiento prescrito.Pacientes y métodos. Evaluamos de forma prospectiva a todas las mujeres atendidas en varias consultas de neurología,desde enero a noviembre de 2008, cuya cefalea aparecía durante el período menstrual. Resultados. Se incluyeron un total de 108 pacientes durante el período del estudio, con una edad media de 34,8 ± 8,9 años. El 29,3% presentaba migraña menstrual pura, el 58,7% migraña menstrual relacionada con la menstruación, el 4,5% cefalea tensional pura durante la menstruación y el 7,5% cefalea tensional relacionada con la menstruación. Conclusiones. Nuestros resultados sugieren que la cefalea tensional en el contexto de la menstruación existe, con unaprevalencia en torno al 12% en las pacientes valoradas en nuestras consultas (AU)

Introduction. Up to 60% of women relate their episodes of headache to menstrual cycle. Menstrual migraine has been included in the second edition of the International Classification of Headache disorders. Menstrual tension-type headache has not yet been recognised by the International Headache Society. Aims. To evaluate the prevalence of different subtypes of menstrual headache and to analyze their clinical features and the treatment prescribed. Patients and methods. We prospectively included women attending several neurology outpatient clinics, from January toNovember 2008 whose headache appeared during the menstrual period. Results. A total of 108 patients were included during the study period. Mean age was 34.8 ± 8.9 years-old. 29.3% sufferedfrom pure menstrual migraine, 58.7% from menstrual related migraine, 4.5% from pure menstrual tension-type headacheand 7.5% from menstrual related tension type headache.Conclusions. Our data suggest that menstrual related tension-type headaches exist with a prevalence found about 12%, inour neurology outpatient clinics

[Telephone attendance system in a dementia unit: analysis and description]. / Descripcion y analisis del sistema de actividad telefonica implantado en una unidad de demencias.

AIM: To describe the characteristics of a telephone attendance system (TAS) implemented in our dementia unit, its relevance in the global activity and the users-themselves utility and satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the incoming telephone calls during a period of one year. Telephone call type, user's gender and relationship with the patient, reason for calling, who answer, class of answer and patients' Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) were systematically registered. Caregivers' satisfaction was evaluated by a semi structured telephone questionnaire checking the following variables: accessibility, difficulty in answer comprehension, utility and global satisfaction. Professionals' opinion about global impression, overcharge in daily activity, TAS satisfaction and utility were evaluated by a semi structured interview. RESULTS: On the period of study, 444 telephone incoming calls were registered, 58.3% of them from relatives of patients with GDS 5-6. To adjust the treatment (43.2%) or to bring forward the next appointment were the most frequent responses. Next aspects were considered as good or very good for interviewed users: accessibility (58.3%), response delay (83.3%), service utility (91.6%), global satisfaction (86.5%) and answer comprehension (93.8%). Professionals' opinion were good, but with some comments about the need for a specific appointment book, improvements aspects in initial accessibility (direct telephone line), and the establishment of a specific schedule for telephonic attendance. CONCLUSIONS: The TAS is a formal, structured and complementary attendance service for traditional visit, with the ability to resolve most problems. The delayed reply mode allows the clinicians to choose the best moment to reply. Furthermore, the availability of the complete chart of every patient attended improve the quality of the clinical answer.

[Prevention of migraine: a pharmacoepidemiological study]. / Prevención de la migraña: un estudio farmacoepidemiológico.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to perform a descriptive analysis of the usage patterns of migraine prophylactic medications by various neurologists in our setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The first preventive treatment prescribed for migraine in patients not associated to other diagnoses of primary headache was recorded in three outpatient neurology clinics and one headache specific clinic. RESULTS: A total of 235 prophylactic treatments out of 669 patients were initiated. The patients were aged 37 +/- 12 years (mean +/- standard deviation) and 84.45% were women. Migraines with aura accounted for 18.9% of migraines. By order of frequency, the prophylactic treatments administered were topiramate (43%), beta-blockers (18%), flunaricine (17%), amitriptyline (14%), selective serotonin reputake inhibitors (6%) and others (2%). Beta-blockers and flunaricine were used much more frequently in men (29.7% and 27% versus 15.9% and 14.4%, respectively) and antidepressants were used more in women (21.87% versus 5.4%). The most frequently used antidepressant was amitriptyline, and its use increases with the age of the patient, it being the most frequently used treatment in over 60-year-old patient group. CONCLUSIONS: At present, topiramate has become the first preventive treatment option for migraine in our setting, especially in young women. There is greater variability in the choice of an alternative treatment. Amitriptyline is the first choice within the antidepressants and is almost exclusively prescribed in women with migraine and elderly age.

Prevención de la migraña: un estudio farmacoepidemiológico / Prevention of migraine: a pharamacoepidemiological study

Introducción. Se realiza un análisis descriptivo de los tratamientosprofilácticos empleados para el tratamiento de la migrañapor varios neurólogos de nuestro medio.Material y métodos. Se registró el primer tratamiento preventivopautado para migraña en pacientes que no asociaban otro diagnósticode cefalea primaria. Se reclutaron durante 1 año en tres consultasde neurología ambulatoria y una específica de cefalea de laprovincia de Alicante.Resultados. De 669 pacientes totales, se iniciaron 235 tratamientosprofilácticos, con una edad de los pacientes de 37±12años (media±desviación estándar) y un 84,45 % de mujeres. Un18,9% de migrañas eran con aura. Por orden de frecuencia, los profilácticosempleados fueron el topiramato (43 %), los betabloqueantes(18%), la flunaricina (17%), la amitriptilina (14 %), inhibidoresselectivos de la recaptación de serotonina (6 %) y otros(2 %). Los betabloqueantes y la flunaricina se emplearon muchomás en el hombre (29,7 y 27 % frente a 15,9 y 14,4%, respectivamente)y los antidepresivos en la mujer (21,87 frente a 5,4 %). Elantidepresivo más empleado fue la amitriptilina, y su empleo aumentacon la edad del paciente, siendo el tratamiento más frecuenteen el grupo de más de 60 años.Conclusiones. El topiramato en la actualidad y en nuestro medioes la primera opción en el tratamiento preventivo de la migraña,sobre todo en la mujer joven. La variabilidad es mayor en la eleccióndel tratamiento alternativo. La amitriptilina es la primera opcióndentro de los antidepresivos y se prescriben casi exclusivamente en lamujer con migraña y en edades avanzadas (AU)

Introduction. This study aims to perform a descriptiveanalysis of the usage patterns of migraine prophylactic medicationsby various neurologists in our setting.Material and methods. The first preventive treatment prescribedfor migraine in patients not associated to other diagnosesof primary headache was recorded in three outpatient neurologyclinics and one headache specific clinic.Results. A total of 235 prophylactic treatments out of 669patients were initiated. The patients were aged 37±12 years(mean±standard desviation) and 84.45% were women. Migraineswith aura accounted for 18.9% of migraines. By order of frequency,the prophylactic treatments administered were topiramate(43%), beta-blockers (18%), flunaricine (17%), amitriptyline(14%), selective serotonin reputake inhibitors (6 %) and others(2 %). Beta-blockers and flunaricine were used much more frequentlyin men (29.7% and 27% versus 15.9% and 14.4%, respectively)and antidepressants were used more in women(21.87% versus 5.4%). The most frequently used antidepressantwas amitriptyline, and its use increases with the age of the patient,it being the most frequently used treatment in over 60 yearold patient group.Conclusions. At present, topiramate has become the firstpreventive treatment option for migraine in our setting, especiallyin young women. There is greater variability in the choiceof an alternative treatment. Amitriptyline is the first choice withinthe antidepressants and is almost exclusively prescribed inwomen with migraine and elderly age (AU)

[Clinical and biomolecular classification of the frontotemporal dementias. A review of the literature]. / Clasificación clínica y biomolecular de las demencias frontotemporales. Revisión de la bibliografía.

INTRODUCTION: The term 'frontotemporal lobar dementia' (FTLD) covers a group of neurodegenerative diseases that are very heterogeneous in their clinical expression, genetic component and histopathological features, and this has traditionally made it difficult to study and classify them. Patients usually present a progressive change in their behaviour associated with language disorders and loss of memory, which constitutes the second most important cause of dementia in persons under the age of 65. The most significant characteristic at the histopathological level is the presence of abnormal aggregates or accumulations of proteins in neurons or glial cells; their identification has, on the one hand, helped further our knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms and, on the other hand, has allowed this type of dementia to be classified. DEVELOPMENT AND CONCLUSIONS: In the last two decades a remarkable amount of progress has been made in our knowledge of this group of diseases, thanks to the genetic advances related to the discovery of the MAPT gene and the progranulin gene, as well as their mutations, which are responsible for a high percentage of cases of hereditary FTLD. Likewise, the development of new immunohistochemical techniques has made it possible to characterise some abnormal proteins, such as the protein TDP-43, as the main component of the neuronal inclusions in tau-negative FTLD. All this has led to a new classification of the FTLD. This work includes a thorough review of said advances and the possible clinical, histological, genetic and biomolecular correlations of the different subtypes of FTLD are also considered.

Clasificación clínica y biomolecular de las demencias frontotemporales. Revisión de la bibliografía / Clinical and biomolecular classification of the frontotemporal dementias. A review of the literature

Introducción. El término ‘demencia lobar frontotemporal’ (DLFT) agrupa un conjunto de enfermedades neurodegenerativas muy heterogéneo en su expresión clínica, componente genético y características histopatológicas, lo que tradicionalmente ha dificultado su estudio y clasificación. Los pacientes presentan de forma habitual un cambio progresivo en su conducta asociado a alteración del lenguaje y pérdida de memoria, lo que constituye la segunda causa de demencia en personas menores de 65 años. La característica más relevante a nivel histopatológico es la presencia de agregados o acúmulos de proteínas anómalas en las neuronas o la glía, cuya identificación ha contribuido, por una parte, al conocimiento de los mecanismos patogénicos y, por otra, ha permitido la clasificación de este tipo de demencia. Desarrollo y conclusiones. En las dos últimas décadas, se ha producido un notable progreso en el conocimiento de este grupo de enfermedades, gracias a los avances genéticos relacionados con el descubrimiento del gen MAPT y el gen de la progranulina, así como de sus mutaciones, responsables de un porcentaje elevado de las DLFT hereditarias; igualmente, el desarrollo de nuevas técnicas inmunohistoquímicas ha permitido caracterizar algunas proteínas anómalas, como la proteína TDP-43, como principal integrante de las inclusiones neuronales en las DLFT tau negativas. Todo ello ha permitido establecer una nueva clasificación de las DLFT. En el presente trabajo se realiza una revisión exhaustiva de dichos avances, además de considerar las posibles correlaciones clínicas, histológicas, genéticas y biomoleculares de los distintos subtipos de DLFT

Introduction. The term ‘frontotemporal lobar dementia’ (FTLD) covers a group of neurodegenerative diseases thatare very heterogeneous in their clinical expression, genetic component and histopathological features, and this has traditionally made it difficult to study and classify them. Patients usually present a progressive change in their behaviour associated with language disorders and loss of memory, which constitutes the second most important cause of dementia inpersons under the age of 65. The most significant characteristic at the histopathological level is the presence of abnormal aggregates or accumulations of proteins in neurons or glial cells; their identification has, on the one hand, helped further ourknowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms and, on the other hand, has allowed this type of dementia to be classified.Development and conclusions. In the last two decades a remarkable amount of progress has been made in our knowledge of this group of diseases, thanks to the genetic advances related to the discovery of the MAPT gene and the progranulin gene, as well as their mutations, which are responsible for a high percentage of cases of hereditary FTLD. Likewise, the development of new immunohistochemical techniques has made it possible to characterise some abnormal proteins, such as the protein TDP-43, as the main component of the neuronal inclusions in tau-negative FTLD. All this has led to a new classification of the FTLD. This work includes a thorough review of said advances and the possible clinical, histological, genetic and biomolecularcorrelations of the different subtypes of FTLD are also considered

Parkinsonismo y deterioro cognitivo reversibles tras tratamiento con ácido valproico / Reversible Parkinsonism and cognitive impairment following treatment with valproate

No disponible

Encefalitis subaguda por el virus de la parotiditis en un adulto / No disponible

No disponible

[The neuropsychological profile of mild cognitive impairment with involvement of multiple cognitive areas. The importance of amnesia in distinguishing two subtypes of patients]. / Perfil neuropsicológico del deterioro cognitivo leve con afectación de múltiples áreas cognitivas. Importancia de la amnesia en la distinción de dos subtipos de pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: The use of diagnostic criteria for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) that do not require the presence of amnesia enables patients to be classified into three types of MCI: pure amnestic MCI (aMCI), MCI with involvement of multiple cognitive functions and amnesia (mf-aMCI) and MCI with involvement of multiple cognitive functions without amnesia, or non-amnestic MCI (mf-nonaMCI). AIM: To determine whether patients with MCI with involvement of multiple functions (mfMCI) have a different profile of cognitive involvement depending on whether amnesia is present or not. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Out of a total sample of 175 patients with MCI, we studied 138 with mfMCI. Of these, 109 (79%) had memory disorders (mf-aMCI) and 29 (21%) did not (mf-nonaMCI). For each group of patients, we determined the percentage who scored below normal in each of the items on the abbreviated Barcelona test. RESULTS: Patients with mf-aMCI failed more frequently in temporal orientation, naming and semantic category evocation tests. Patients with mf-nonaMCI failed more often in motor praxis and abstraction tests. Differences were statistically significant. Additionally, it was noted that patients with mf-nonaMCI tended to make more mistakes in attention tests. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of amnesia allows us to identify an mf-aMCI group with a cognitive profile suggesting temporal involvement, unlike the mf-nonaMCI group, whose members have a cognitive profile that suggests subcortical compromise.

Perfil neuropsicológico del deterioro cognitivo leve con afectación de múltiples áreas cognitivas. Importancia de la amnesia en la distinción de dos subtipos de pacientes / The neuropsychological profile of mild cognitive impairment with involvement of multiple cognitive areas. The importance of amnesia in distinguishing two subtypes of patients

Introducción. El uso de criterios diagnósticos de deterioro cognitivo leve (DCL) que no exigen la presencia de amnesia, permite clasificar a los pacientes en tres tipos de DCL: DCL amnésico puro (DCLa), DCL con afectación de múltiples funciones cognitivas y amnesia (DCLmf-A) y DCL con afectación de múltiples funciones cognitivas sin amnesia o DCL no amnésico (DCLmf-noA). Objetivo. Determinar si los pacientes con DCL con afectación de múltiples funciones (DCLmf) tienen un perfil de afectación cognitiva distinto en función de la presencia o no de amnesia. Pacientes y métodos. De un total de 175 pacientes con DCL, estudiamos a 138 con DCLmf. De ellos, 109 (79%) tenían afectación de la memoria (DCLmf-A) y 29 (21%) no la presentaban (DCLmf-noA). Para cada grupo determinamos el porcentaje de pacientes que tenían una puntuación inferior a la normal en cada uno de los elementos del test Barcelona abreviado. Resultados. Los pacientes con DCLmf-A fallaban con más frecuencia en los tests de orientación temporal, denominación y evocación categorial semántica. Los pacientes con DCLmf-noA fallaban más en las pruebas de praxis motora y abstracción. Las diferencias eran estadísticamente significativas. Además, se apreciaba una tendencia mayor a cometer errores en las pruebas de atención por parte de los pacientes con DCLmf-noA. Conclusiones. La presencia de amnesia permite identificar a un grupo de DCLmf-A con un perfil cognitivo sugestivo de afectación temporal, diferente del grupo de DCLmf-noA con perfil cognitivo, que sugiere afectación subcortical

Introduction. The use of diagnostic criteria for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) that do not require the presence of amnesia enables patients to be classified into three types of MCI: pure amnestic MCI (aMCI), MCI with involvement of multiple cognitive functions and amnesia (mf-aMCI) and MCI with involvement of multiple cognitive functions without amnesia, or non-amnestic MCI (mf-nonaMCI). Aim. To determine whether patients with MCI with involvement of multiple functions (mfMCI) have a different profile of cognitive involvement depending on whether amnesia is present or not. Patients and methods. Out of a total sample of 175 patients with MCI, we studied 138 with mfMCI. Of these, 109 (79%) had memory disorders (mf-aMCI) and 29 (21%) did not (mf-nonaMCI). For each group of patients, we determined the percentage who scored below normal in each of the items on the abbreviated Barcelona test. Results. Patients with mf-aMCI failed more frequently in temporal orientation, naming and semantic category evocation tests. Patients with mf-nonaMCI failed more often in motor praxis and abstraction tests. Differences were statistically significant. Additionally, it was noted that patients with mf-nonaMCI tended to make more mistakes in attention tests. Conclusions. The presence of amnesia allows us to identify an mf-aMCI group with a cognitive profile suggesting temporal involvement, unlike the mf-nonaMCI group, whose members have a cognitive profile that suggests subcortical compromise

El tratamiento preventivo con topiramato mejora la calidad de vida de los pacientes con migraña / Preventive treatment with topiramate enhances the quality of life of patients with migraine

Introducción. El topiramato ha demostrado recientementeser seguro y efectivo en la prevención de la migraña y en la actualidades el único fármaco neuromodulador con indicación parala prevención de la migraña en España. Objetivo. Evaluar la adherencia,la eficacia y la seguridad del tratamiento preventivo con topiramatoen pacientes diagnosticados de migraña. Pacientes y métodos.Se realizó un estudio multicéntrico prospectivo observacionalen las consultas de neurología general. Se incluyeron pacientescon migraña mayores de 14 años que requerían un tratamiento preventivo y en los que habían fallado otros tratamientos preventivos oen los que cuales se consideraba más adecuado el topiramato enfunción de su perfil de efectos adversos. Se evaluó la eficacia deltratamiento, la satisfacción del paciente, los efectos adversos y lareducción del peso corporal. La eficacia del tratamiento se valoró através de la reducción en la frecuencia de migrañas y en la puntuacióndel Headache Impact Test (HIT-6). Resultados. Se evaluaron79 pacientes. La dosis de topiramato osciló entre 25 y 200 mg/día,con una mediana de 100 mg/día. El 19% de los pacientes abandonóel estudio por efectos adversos. La causa más frecuente de abandonofueron las parestesias. No se observaron efectos adversos graves.El 14% de los pacientes experimentó una pérdida de peso superioral 5% del basal. El porcentaje de pacientes respondedores fuedel 58%. El grado de satisfacción de los pacientes que completaronel seguimiento fue buena (80%), regular (11%) y mala (9%). Conclusiones.El tratamiento preventivo con topiramato reduce significativamenteel impacto y la discapacidad de la migraña. El tratamientoes satisfactorio y mejora la calidad de vida en un porcentajeimportante de pacientes

Introduction. Topiramate has recently proved to be safe and effective in the prevention of migraine and is currentlythe only neuromodulatory drug indicated for the prevention of migraine in Spain. Aim. To evaluate the adherence, effectivenessand safety of preventive treatment with topiramate in patients diagnosed with migraine. Patients and methods. A prospective,observational, multi-centre study was conducted in general neurology departments. Patients eligible for the study were thosewith migraine, above 14 years of age, who needed preventive treatment and in whom other preventive treatments had failed orfor whom topiramate was believed to be the most suitable therapy as regards its profile of side effects. The effectiveness of thetreatment, patient satisfaction, side effects and loss of body weight were all evaluated. Effectiveness of the treatment wasevaluated by means of the reduction in the frequency of migraines and the score obtained on the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6).Results. A total of 79 patients were evaluated. The dosage of topiramate ranged between 25 and 200 mg/day, with an average of100 mg/day. 19% of the patients dropped out of the study due to side effects. Paresthesias were the most frequent reason fordropping out. No serious side effects were observed. 14% of the patients lost more than 5% of the base weight. The percentageof patients who responded was 58%. The degree of satisfaction of the patients who completed the follow-up was: good (80%),regular (11%) and poor (9%). Conclusions. Preventive treatment with topiramate significantly reduces the impact of migraineand the disability that results from it. Treatment is satisfactory and improves the quality of life in a large percentage of patients

[Preventive treatment with topiramate enhances the quality of life of patients with migraine]. / El tratamiento preventivo con topiramato mejora la calidad de vida de los pacientes con migrana.

INTRODUCTION: Topiramate has recently proved to be safe and effective in the prevention of migraine and is currently the only neuromodulatory drug indicated for the prevention of migraine in Spain. AIM: To evaluate the adherence, effectiveness and safety of preventive treatment with topiramate in patients diagnosed with migraine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, observational, multi-centre study was conducted in general neurology departments. Patients eligible for the study were those with migraine, above 14 years of age, who needed preventive treatment and in whom other preventive treatments had failed or for whom topiramate was believed to be the most suitable therapy as regards its profile of side effects. The effectiveness of the treatment, patient satisfaction, side effects and loss of body weight were all evaluated. Effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated by means of the reduction in the frequency of migraines and the score obtained on the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6). RESULTS: A total of 79 patients were evaluated. The dosage of topiramate ranged between 25 and 200 mg/day, with an average of 100 mg/day. 19% of the patients dropped out of the study due to side effects. Paresthesias were the most frequent reason for dropping out. No serious side effects were observed. 14% of the patients lost more than 5% of the base weight. The percentage of patients who responded was 58%. The degree of satisfaction of the patients who completed the follow-up was: good (80%), regular (11%) and poor (9%). CONCLUSIONS: Preventive treatment with topiramate significantly reduces the impact of migraine and the disability that results from it. Treatment is satisfactory and improves the quality of life in a large percentage of patients.

[Neuropathic pain as the reason for visiting Neurology: an analysis of its frequency]. / El dolor neuropático como motivo de consulta en Neurología: análisis de su frecuencia.

INTRODUCTION: Neuropathic pain (NP) is defined as pain that begins with or is caused by a primary injury or by a dysfunction in the nervous system. AIMS: Our aim was to evaluate how often patients visit Neurology as outpatients with NP as the main reason for referral. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive, cross sectional study was carried out on the use of the health care services; patients attended for the first time in a Neurology Screening visit were included consecutively. The variables studied were the following: the number of first visits and the total number of patients attended per visiting session, rate of patients with NP per visiting day, the topography and probable causation of the NP, and the rate of patients referred to the monographic NP clinic; the different quantitative variables are expressed in terms of their mean and standard deviation (SD), whereas the qualitative variables are given as their absolute value and the percentage. A total of 1,972 patients were attended, of whom 1,422 (72.1%) were first visits, with an average of 17.5 (SD: 2.5) new patients per visiting session. RESULTS: In all 113 patients clinically diagnosed with NP were identified, which represents a rate of 7.95% of the first visits. CONCLUSIONS: NP may be among the most frequent causes of the demand for neurological ambulatory care. The most common causes of NP were found to be trigeminal neuralgia, post-herpes neuralgia and diabetic polyneuropathy.

El dolor neuropático como motivo de consulta en Neurología: análisis de su frecuencia / Neuropathic pain as the reason for visiting neurology: an analysis of its frequency

Introducción. El dolor neuropático (DN) se define como aquel dolor iniciado o causado por una lesión primaria o por una disfunción en el sistema nervioso. Objetivo. Evaluar la frecuencia con la que los pacientes con DN como motivo principal de derivación se remiten a una consulta ambulatoria de Neurología. Pacientes y métodos. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, transversal sobreutilización de los servicios sanitarios; se incluyeron consecutivamente los pacientes atendidos por primera vez en una consulta de Neurología de selección; variables estudiadas: número de primeras visitas y número total de pacientes atendidos por sesión de consulta, tasa de pacientes con DN por día de consulta, la topografía y probable etiología del DN, y la tasa de pacientes remitidos a la consulta monográfica de DN; las diferentes variables cuantitativas se expresarán con su media y desviación estándar (DE), mientras que en las variables cualitativas esto se hará con su valor absoluto y el porcentaje. Se atendieron 1.972 pacientes, de los cuales 1.422(72,1%) fueron primeras visitas, con una media de 17,5 (DE: 2,5) pacientes nuevos por sesión de consulta. Resultados. Se identificaron113 pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de DN, lo que supone una tasa del 7,95% de las primeras visitas. Conclusiones. El DN puede estar entre las causas más frecuentes de demanda de asistencia neurológica ambulatoria. Las causas más frecuentes de DN fueron la neuralgia del trigémino, la neuralgia posherpética y la polineuropatía diabética (AU)

Introduction. Neuropathic pain (NP) is defined as pain that begins with or is caused by a primary injury or by a dysfunction in the nervous system. Aims. Our aim was to evaluate how often patients visit Neurology as outpatients with NPas the main reason for referral. Patients and methods. A descriptive, cross sectional study was carried out on the use of the health care services; patients attended for the first time in a Neurology Screening visit were included consecutively. The variables studied were the following: the number of first visits and the total number of patients attended per visiting session, rate of patients with NP per visiting day, the topography and probable causation of the NP, and the rate of patients referred to the monographic NP clinic; the different quantitative variables are expressed in terms of their mean and standard deviation (SD), whereas the qualitative variables are given as their absolute value and the percentage. A total of 1,972patients were attended, of whom 1,422 (72.1%) were first visits, with an average of 17.5 (SD: 2.5) new patients per visiting session. Results. In all 113 patients clinically diagnosed with NP were identified, which represents a rate of 7.95% of the first visits. Conclusions. NP may be among the most frequent causes of the demand for neurological ambulatory care. The most common causes of NP were found to be trigeminal neuralgia, post-herpes neuralgia and diabetic polyneuropathy (AU)

[An update on the diagnosis of vascular dementia]. / Actualización en el diagnóstico de la demencia vascular.

INTRODUCTION: Vascular dementia (VD) is the second most frequent cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease in western societies. It includes a heterogeneous group of disorders in which vascular factors are believed to play a vital role in the development of cognitive impairment. Aims and development. Our aim was to determine what instruments can be used to diagnose VD and to what extent such a diagnosis is reliable. To this end, we review the diagnostic criteria that have been used up to now, the role played by neuropsychology, the value of neurosonology studies, and the growing development of neuroimaging techniques, especially magnetic resonance. CONCLUSIONS: Current diagnostic criteria for VD select a group that is clinically and aetiologically very heterogeneous. Such criteria need shifting towards new evidence-based criteria derived from analyses of population studies that focus on the early stages of the disease and that make a proper distinction between patients with mixed dementia. The subcortical subtype of vascular cognitive impairment (SVCI) is a form of vascular impairment that is more homogeneous and which selects more representative patients with a more predictable clinical pattern, natural history, response to treatment and prognosis. These characteristics make SVCI cases an ideal group for comparisons between clinical trials and studies.

Actualización en el diagnóstico de la demencia vascular / An update on the diagnosis of vascular dementia

Introduction. Vascular dementia (VD) is the second most frequent cause of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease in western societies. It includes a heterogeneous group of disorders in which vascular factors are believed to play a vital role in the development of cognitive impairment. Aims and development. Our aim was to determine what instruments can be used to diagnose VD and to what extent such a diagnosis is reliable. To this end, we review the diagnostic criteria that have been used up to now, the role played by neuropsychology, the value of neurosonology studies, and the growing development of neuroimaging techniques, especially magnetic resonance. Conclusions. Current diagnostic criteria for VD select a group that is clinically and aetiologically very heterogeneous. Such criteria need shifting towards new evidence-based criteria derived from analyses of population studies that focus on the early stages of the disease and that make a proper distinction between patients with mixed dementia. The subcortical subtype of vascular cognitive impairment (SVCI) is a form of vascular impairment that is more homogeneous and which selects more representative patients with a more predictable clinical pattern, natural history, response to treatment and prognosis. These characteristics make SVCI cases an ideal group for comparisons between clinical trials and studies (AU)

Introducción. La demencia vascular (DV) es la segunda causa de demencia tras la enfermedad de Alzheimer en la sociedad occidental. Incluye un grupo heterogéneo de trastornos en los que se piensa que los factores vasculares desempeñan un papel esencial en el desarrollo del deterioro cognitivo. Objetivo y desarrollo. Nuestro objetivo es analizar con qué instrumentos y con qué fiabilidad somos capaces de diagnosticar la DV. Para ello, revisamos los criterios diagnósticos existentes hasta la actualidad, el papel de la neuropsicología, del estudio neuroecográfico y el creciente desarrollo de las técnicas de neuroimagen, en especial la resonancia magnética. Conclusión. Los criterios diagnósticos actuales para la DV seleccionan a un grupo clínica y etiológicamente muy heterogéneo, y es necesario modificarlos hacia unos nuevos criterios basados en evidencias, derivados del análisis de estudios poblacionales que se centren en la enfermedad en sus estadios iniciales, y que diferencien adecuadamente a los pacientes con demencia mixta. El subtipo de deterioro cognitivo vascular subcortical (DCVS) representa una forma de deterioro vascular más homogéneo y que selecciona a pacientes más representativos, con un cuadro clínico, evolución, respuesta al tratamiento y pronóstico más predecibles. Estas características hacen del DCVS un grupo ideal para la comparabilidad de estudios y ensayos clínicos (AU)

Asistencia neurológica ambulatoria en España. Pasado, presente, ¿futuro? / Ambulatory neurological care in Spain. Past, present, and the future?

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